Cockfighting - 18 live, 15 dead birds seized
Dalton, GA (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Feb 3, 2009
County: Whitfield
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged:
» Maricio Aguilar
» Franklin Edward Berry
» Elidio Sianez Ocon
» Heraclio Montoya
» Octavio Aguilar
» Adolfo Perez
Six men and two juveniles have been arrested and charged with cruelty to animals and gambling. On February 3rd, the suspects were reportedly rounded up when deputies arrived as money was being exchanged in the blood sport..
It may appear to be a quiet neighborhood now but when Whitfield County Sheriff's Office deputy Josh Davis pulled up to 163 Bellwood Drive he found cars and trucks parked everywhere and a large crowd of people.
Sheriff Scott Chitwood said "he called for some back up, just simply for whatever was present because he was outnumbered, so a couple of uniformed officers responded and large number exited through the wood line."
Sheriff Chitwood said up to 100 people took off running. Officers went down a dirt trail and discovered a chicken house along with obvious signs of a cock fighting operation. Officer Davis's report shows he found 15 dead game roosters and 18 others still alive but showing signs they had been fighting.
Some of the people who ran left their cellphones behind - the kind of cellphones that take pictures and videos.
"So we may very easily have to send it off to the lab to see what is in fact on there, very easily there could be some valuable evidence on it," Sheriff Chitwood said.
Those who didn't get away and are arrested include Maricio Aguilar, Franklin Edward Berry, Elidio Sianez Ocon, Heraclio Montoya, Octavio Aguilar and Adolfo Perez. Davis' report shows Perez had $2,604 in cash on him and Octavio Aguilar had $532 with him.
"There is betting going on because we did seize a large amount of cash from one of the individuals and it confirmed our belief that waging and betting was present," Sheriff Chitwood said.
Officers also impounded 27 vehicles that likely belonging to the people who ran and took two juveniles into custody. All those arrested are charged with cruelty to animals, gambling and obstruction of officers.
While no court date has been scheduled they could face a judge to set bonds Friday morning. References« GA State Animal Cruelty Map
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